Voting machine

ABSTRACT

A compact, versatile voting machine is disclosed having adaptability for use with various vote registering devices such as tally counters and punch card apparatus. The voting machine includes a selector mechanism having a series of parallel columns housing voter operated key slides. A vertical interlock mechanism includes ball housing blocks which are alternately disposed between the key slides and house displaceable interlock balls in a tool line. The cam blocks are adjustable to limit the effective length of the tool line to establish groupings of candidates from which a single selection can be made. A magazine at the top of each column is adjustable to permit multiple selections from a grouping. Actuation of a key cams the interlock balls into the tool line, and when a predetermined number of voter selections have been made no additional keys can be actuated as they are blocked by the tool line. A row of adjacent horizontal keys can also be interlocked to established selection groups as typically found on a general election ballot. A bar is moveable to horizontally interlock adjacent columns by introducing locking pins into a position to be cammed by actuation of a key. A drive mechanism associated with each column permits the voter to vote straight party and clears the machine to ready it for another voter. The drive mechanism includes cam controlled clutches that operate four-bar linkage elements to depress or return the key slides. A judge controlled mechanism locks the machine between voters. For various voting requirements, judge operated cam arrangements are cooperable with the horizontal locking pins and the four-bar linkage to selectively lock out partial or entire columns or rows of key slides. The key slides are provided with a voter viewable button that registers a visible, luminescent &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;X&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; when a key is voted.

United States Patent [191 QNeal et al.

[ 1 VOTING MACHINE [75] Inventors: Cothburn M. ONeal, Dallas; Alfred M. Mayo, Richardson, both of Tex.; George William Childs, deceased, late of Dallas, Tex., by Patricia M. Childs, executrix, Dallas, Tex.

[73] Assignee: Riverside Press, Inc., Dallas, Tex.

[22] Filed: May 28, 1974 [21] Appl. No.: 473,924

Related U.S. Application Data [62] Division of Ser. No. 309,174, Nov. 24, 1-972, Pat. No.

[52] U.S. Cl. 235/51; 235/55 R [51] Int. Cl. G07C 13/00 {58] Field of Search 235/51, 50 A, 54 A, 54 D, 235/55 A, 55 R, 130 R {56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,277,857 3/1942 Shoup 235/55 R 2,826,365 3/1958 Shoup 235/51 3,168,240 2/1965 ONeal 235/54 R 3,524,969 8/1970 ONeal 235/54 R Primary E.\'aminer--Stephen J. Tomsky Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Hubbard, Thurman, Turner & Tucker [57] ABSTRACT A compact, versatile voting machine is disclosed having adaptability for use with various vote registering devices such as tally counters and punch card appara- Nov. 11, 1975 tus. The voting machine includes a selector mechanism having a series of parallel columns housing voter operated key slides. A vertical interlock mechanism includes ball housing blocks which are alternately disposed between the key slides and house displaceable interlock balls in a tool line. The cam blocks are adjustable to limit the effective length of the tool line to establish groupings of candidates from which a single selection can be made. A magazine at the top of each column is adjustable to permit multiple selections from a grouping. Actuation of a key cams the interlock balls into the tool line, and when a predetermined number of voter selections have been made no additional keys can be actuated as they are blocked by the tool line. A row of adjacent horizontal keys can also be interlocked to established selection groups as typically found on a general election ballot. A bar is moveable to horizontally interlock adjacent columns by introducing locking pins into a position to be cammed by actuation of a key. A drive mechanism associated with each ,column permits the voter to vote straight party and clears the machine to ready it for another voter. The drive mechanism includes cam controlled clutches that operate four-bar linkage elements to depress or return the key slides. A judge controlled mechanism locks the machine between voters. For various voting requirements, judge operated cam arrangements are cooperable with the horizontal locking pins and the four-bar linkage to selectively lock out partial or entire columns or rows of key slides. The key slides are provided with a voter viewable button that registers a visible, luminescent X when a key is voted.

3 Claims 37 Drawing Figures US. Patent Nov. 11, 1975 Sheet 1 of 14 3,919,544

FIG. 2

US. Patent Nov. 11, 1975 SheetZof 14 3,919,544

FIG. 3

54 59 55 55 7a 40 66 59 79 Q 1 Al IH III E I 'J 41m.

7 4 77 56 FIG. 4

l II I l 1 F I G. 5

75 FIG. 7

Sheet 3 of 14 3,919,544

US. Patent Nov. 11, 1975' US. Patent 4. Nov. 11, 1975 Sheet4 0f 14 3,919,544

FIG.II

FIG. I2

FIG. I3

U.S. Patent Nov. 11, 1975 SheetS of 14 3,919,544

U.S. Patent Nov. 11,1975 Sheet60f 14 3,919,544

FIG.I7

FIG. I8

U.S. Patent Nov. 11, 1975 Sheet 7 of 14 3,919,544

FIG. 20

US. Patent Nov. 11,1975 Sheet8 of 14 3,919,544

FIG.23

US. Patent N0v.11, 1975 Sheet9of 14 3,919,544

U.S. Patent Nov. 11, 1975 Sheet 10 of 14 3,919,544

U.S. Patent 4. Nov. 11, 1975 FIG. 34

Sheet 12 of 14 VOTING MACHINE This is a division of application Ser. No. 309,174 filed Nov. 24, 1972, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,866,826.

This invention relates to voting machines and more particularly is directed to improved voting machines of the general construction described in prior U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,168,240 and 3,524,969. I

A large number and variety of mechanical voting machines can be found in the prior art. Machines most commonly found in use today are of the type as shown in the US. Pat. No. 3,408,002 and the patents referred to therein. Y

These machines are generally referred to as levertype voting machines and have found general acceptance and'are widely used. In lever machines, multiple horizontal or vertical rows of selector levers are interconnected by cranks or similar mechanisms to counter mechanisms which register the number of votes cast for a particular candidate or issue.

Machines of this general type have a number of disadvantages. One of the foremost disadvantages of the lever-type machines is their extreme size and weight, often in excess of 500 pounds. Because of the weight, a single machine requires the effort of several men to transport the machine from its place of storage to the polls. Further, the large size requires an extreme amount of storage space when it is considered that a city of, for example, one million people may own or lease several thousand voting machines. Transportation and storage of the machines during periods of non-use can constitute a major financial burden on a governmental unit.

Aside from the above-mentioned problems of storage and transportation, the lever-type machines require complex procedures on the part of the custodian to prepare the machine for voting, particularly when the machine is to be used in primary elections. In primary elections it is common that one or more candidates will be selected by the voter from a larger group running for the office'and, accordingly, the columns must be broken down into subgroups of the correct number of candidates. The subgroups are established by various interlock arrangements'which usually require that grouping pins or compensators be inserted in the columns to serve as barriers to permit only a selected number of voting keys to be depressed within the column. This can be a difficult operation requiring skill and much preparation time on the part of reelection officials in order to insure proper machine functioning.

Another disadvantage of the'lever-type voting machine is that the accompanying ballot is often confusing and difficult for the voter to understand because it does not duplicate the format of the traditional paper ballot. This is especially true of machines having horizontal selection rows which require a specialized ballot format to adapt to the machine. It is generally accepted practice for conventional paper ballots to display the candidates in a vertical rather than a horizontal arrangeinent.

lt is'the primary object of the present invention to provide a simple to operate, console type voting machine of substantially reduced size and weight to facilitate handling and storage. The present invention employs a very efficient, compact selector mechanism using displaceable steel balls arranged in columns which permit lists of candidates for more than one office to be placed in a single column. Further, the col- 2 umns can be set so that one or more selections from that list can be made by the voter. Such an arrangement would be typically used in a primary election. The voting machine of the present invention also permits adjacent vertical columns to be mechanically interlocked so that the selection groups on the ballot can be arranged horizontally as is necessary in a general elec- The present invention further has provision for 'straight party, write-in, and random voting procedures andi nsures that the "voter cannot disenfranchise himself by casting two opposing votes. The voting machine of the present invention also'makes chain voting impossible. A unique clutch mechanism performs multiple functions including a clearing and locking function after each voting cycle and when a straight party selection is made.

The present invention also permits insertion of a computer compatible card into the machine on which card is recorded the voters selections. This card may then be processed by computer to expedite computation of the election results and minimize decoding and transcription. The machine adapts to the requirements of almost any election and the ballot can be arranged in a format familiar to most voters. The buttons are depressed and the voted buttons are easily identifiable to the voter by an X appearing at the voted button. In summary, the present invention provides a voting machine having improved interlock systems to render the machine simple, efficient, lightweight, and yet at the same time highly versatile and applicable to a variety of voting procedures and adaptable to the various voting laws and requirements in effect in the various jurisdictions throughout the country.

These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent from the following drawings and descriptions in which: 1

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the voting machine of the present invention with a representative .ballot in place;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the voting machine with the ballot removed;

FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 are elevational views of a voting key;

FIGS. 6 and 7 are enlarged detail views of the end of the voting key;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged detail view of the voting key and associated button;

FIG. 8A is a perspective view of the button shown in FIG. 8;

FIGS. 9 and 10 are opposite side elevational views of the individual voting machine columns, FIG. 10 being inverted;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged partial sectional view taken along lines 11-11 of FIG. 9;

FIG. 12 is a partial sectional view showing the end of the lockout bar mechanism;

FIG. 13 is a partial detail view showing a cam arrangement;

FIG. 14 is a top perspective view of a ball housing block and cam; I

FIG. 15 is a bottom perspective view of the ball housing block of FIG. 14; i V

FIG. 16 is a partial detail view showing the relationship of a key overlying a ball housing block;-

FIG. 17 is a sectional view taken along lines 17 17 of FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 is a sectional view taken along lines l818 of FIG. 16;

3 FIG. 19 is a view of the'drive assembly as seen-from thetop-end of FIGJ'Z;

i 1" FIGS. 20 to 22 are detail views of drive assembly clutches; FIG. 23 is a sectional'view takenalong lines 2323 of FIG. 19 with the mechanism shownin a lockedposition; FIG. 24 is a view similar to'FIG. 23but with the mechanism shown in avoted position; 1

FIG. 25 is a sectional view taken along lines 25-25 of FIG. 19 with the straight party mechanismin a nonvotedpositionp i FIG. 26 is a view similar to FIG; 25 but with -the straight party mechanism in a voted position; I FIG. 27 is a detail view of a part of the straight-party mechanism; W i

FIG. 28 is a sectional view of a portion ofthe'column assembly as seen along lines 28--28"of FIG";"19;=-

FIG. 29- is a partial sectional view-taken along lines 29-29 of FIG. 19;

FIG. 30 is'a view similar to"F'IG. 29 but with the main votingbutton mechanism shown in an alternate position; FIGI'31 is a partial sectional 'view generally'taken along lines 25-25 of FIG. 19 with structure removed to more clearly illustrate the'mot'o'r'control switch: FIG. 3'2 isa view 'similarto FlG. -31 showing the motor control switch in an actuatedpositiomi FIG. 33 is a partial sectional-view generally'tak'en along lines 25-250f FIG. 19 with structure removed to more clearly illustrate the*actuation'of:the moto control switch in the'straigh't party cycle;

' FIGL34 is a vi'e'wsimilar to FlG. 33' showing the switchin an actuated position;

FIG; 35 is a flowchart representation of the clear cycle operation; and v1 FIG. 36 is a flow chart representation of the straight Party Cycle. I M F The voting machine'is shown in FIG. 1 and is generally designated by the numeral 10. The machine would generally be incorporatedin anappropriate votingmachine cabinet, not shown, when placedin user-The cabinet'would provide for either "a" vertical orhorizontal mounting of the mechanism for voter access depending on preference and voting requirements. The machine '10 generally has abasic frame str'ucture'comp'rising opposite side members 12 and 13 and opposite end members l4 and '15. A top panel 16 is carriedbythe'frame structure and has provision for mounting of the ballot 20. The ballot is dividedinto a se'riesof'eight vertical selection columns'identified 18a throughl'8 i. It should be noted, as used throughout this description, theterm horizontal means a plane parallel'to ends- 14 and 15 of the machine. The term vertical refers to a plane Parallel to sides 12 and 13. i I

Ballot 20 is not a typicalballot one would find when voting but rather is a representative-ballot to illustrate the operation of the machine. Left hand columns 18a, 18b, 18c and 18d are set up in format corresponding to that used in most general and some city elections in which several political 'parties offer candidates for'the same offices as are listed in column 18A.As showm-the voter would make a' choice" for the office of president from eitherclunins18b,180, or 18d and, once having voted one of the selection's','is not 'permitted by the in-' terlock system of the present invention to make another selection for that-office. Column 18h illustrates a typical primary election ballot wherein oneselec'tion is 4 chosen from several candidates to be the particular partys candidatein'the general election. It will be appr'eci'ated- 'that any other number of rows could as well be provided; At the top of each of columns 18b to 18d is a straight party button-21 which, as will be more fully explained hereafter, when depressed will cause all the voting keys in'the associated vertical column to be depressed, clearing all other buttons on the machine. A

slot in the-upper right hand of the-machine is provided .to accept .a data processing card which is punched in response to the voting operation. A resetting lock 26-is used to lock or release the mechanism after each vote is recorded preparing the machine for the next voter. Lock28 operates the column lockouts to lock out of operation certain selected columns or partial .columns.-.The keys for lock 26 and 28 are retained by the election judge or official on duty at the election location. When the voter has completed makingselections, main vote button 44 initiates the machine through its operative cycle. A tray accessible through front 15 contains the tally counters and a public counten-One tally counter is provided to correspond to each of thevotingbuttons on the machine. For a more complete description and understanding of the operation of the candidate counters andt he card insert and card punching 'mechanism, please refer to-commonly assigned co-pending application entitled Punch Assembly and Method of Making Same U.S. Ser. No.

309,192,"and commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No.

3,821,522, granted June 28, 1974, entitled Counter,

bothfiled concurrently herewith.

FIG: 2 illustrates a machine of the present invention with the ballot 20 and cover plate 16 removed to expose the basic components of the machine. The rectanvertical row of: slots 39 therein which slidably receive the endkey: slides 40.-Slot 146 provides access to a cam device for setting upvertical selection subcolumns. The details of the'key slides are shown in FIGS. 3 through 6 and'are discussed'in the following paragraphs. The purpose of the present-brief description is to outline the in- :teraction of'the main components so that the operation ofi the voting machine will be more-easily understood. Tornakea selection=, key.slides are manually depressable through a voting button 23 extending through the panel 16 and-ballot 20. Tray 30 containing the tally counters is horizontally positioned subjacent columns 31 to' 38 and depres'sion of a key slide 40 will engage a ..:corresponding counter in. the tray ,30 through plunger '54at the' terminai'end of slide 40. The counters may be of the well known star wheel type or similar to those disclosed 'in' the'co pendin'g application referenced above.

,. Alsooperatively engaging each of the key slides is a rod 48 whichfext ends transversely of the columns and is received in punch bank selector 42. Rods 48 are horizontally'displaced to theright by actuation of the corresponding keyslide by cain surfaces on the slides 40. Rightward movement of a transverse bar 48 into the punch bank selector 42 will block acorresponding punch:s elector bar 49 so that upon actuation of the votingcycle bymain voting button 44, the card inserted in I. slot 25 of cardl punc hing inec hanisrn 43 will be perfoparty cycle is by virtue of the multiple clutch'drive mechanism 50 shown at the upper portion of the machine. An electric motor 45 powers the mechanism through the clearing andstraight party cycles as will be explained. Provision can be included for manually driving the machine by ajcrank in case of a power failure.

The foregoing is just a brief description of the, various main components to the machine so that theirrelative location and interrelationship may be appreciated. The operation and mechanism ofthe counter assemblyand the punch. mechanismform nopart of the present invention but rather are the subject of the separate aforementioned patent applications. The present invention concerns; itself with the voter selection mechanism and more particularly with the interlockarrangement for setting up and limiting voting selections and the clutchdrive mechanism for clearing the, machine and for voting a straight-party ticket. 1 i I Referencenow toFIGS. 3 through slide 40 is shown in detail. The key slide 40 comprises an-essential part of; the machine which is operative to register the voters selections, Key 40 extends laterlly in slots'39. in each of thecolumns and each is manually depressable through button-23 by the voter. Each key -40.includes an upper generally rectangular shank-portidn 52 and a lower extension 51 having opposite sides -7.7*and.78. Opposite transverse slots 65 and 66 extend across the intermediate portion of the key40. Angular vcam surfaces "551 are provided on one edge of the key. The camsurface 55 on'each slide-is associated with the end of transverse punch actuator bars 48. The longitudinal positionot cam surfaces 55 along extension 51 varies with the column in which the key slide 40 is located. For :example, cam surface 55 on the key slides "located in column 38 are immediately adjacent the shank 52"and the location of thecorresponding cam "surfaces'5'5 is 'disp laced downwardly for the-slides in each leftwardly successive row. In this'way, all rods 48 6, the voting key that are associated with the keys in a horizontalrow of key'sl'idesarefin' vertical alignment" beneath them]- umn's. The 'ro ds 48 'are'confi gured toavoid interference with the adjacent key s-lides'.

Inward of the lower end of the key- 40 a shoulder 59 projects laterally. Shoulder 59 is adapted to be engaged by a clear bar of'the drivemechanis'm 50 to return the key to a non-actuated position. Extending from the opposite side ofthe key is projection 58 which is adapted to be engaged by a bar in drive 50 to pull theassociated key 40 downwardly when a straight party button 21' is actuated on the" machine. The clear and straight 'party mechanism is ac't uat'ed by drive mechanism 50, as will later be explained.

An important feature of this invention is the vertical interlock arrangement which limits the number of voting buttons a voter can depress within a column by blocking the remaining slides when the predetermined number of selectionshastbeen mad'eL The vertical interlock isachieved by cammingaccurate steel balls in a tool. line extending through the columns along a cam surface on thek eys 40. Each key is provided with cam =means56 including adjacentcirculai bores 67' and 68 Thevertical interlock mechanism permits the electidnofficial toset up the machine in vertical selection 'column as, for example, would be necessary in a primary election. Other elections may require that the mach ihe be programmed horizontally as in a general elecitioiifAcco'rdingly, an important feature of the present invention includes means to selectively interlock adjac'ent horizontal keys to define a selection group and so that only one key can be voted within the group. as best bore 71 at the longitudinal centerline of the shank portion. As best seen'in' FIG. 7, surfaces 72 and 73 diverge outwardly to' oppositely arranged lands 74 and 75, re-

spectively, which are all commonly defined within recess 76 in the opposite edges of'the key 40.

" FIGS. 9 to 11 and 16 to 18 best show the relationship of the slides 40 in the columns. Keys 40 are all received in adjacent vertical'columns 31 to 38 aligned vertically.. "and. horizontally. Each column contains 'a selected 7 number of keys. The following description is with reference to column 33 which is typical. Column 33 is a generally elongated rectangular section and has an aligned series of slots 82 which receive the main body portion of keys 40. Enlarged slots 39 aligned with slots 82 extend to the surface of the column. A shoulder 84 at the .botton end of slot 39 serves as a stop to engage outwardly extending flange portion 60 of the associated key. Thus, lookingat' FIG. 1 l, which is a sectional view through a portion of adjacent columns, key 40 is shown in a. normal unactuated position; when actuated it will be moved inwardly until flange 60 contacts shoulder 84 at the bottom of slot 39. An over center toggle pin, not

shown, may be associated with each key slide 40 to give the key a positive action. Cross bore 85, approximately corresponding in diameter to the cross bore 71 in the shank portion of key slide 40, intersects column slot 82 and terminates in rectangular slot 86 which extends longitudinally in column 33. Horizontal interlock bar 90 is slidable in slot 86. Another longitudinal channel 91 extends the length of column 33 perpendicular to the axis of key slide 40 and intercepts slot 82 and houses vertical interlock ball housing blocks- 11 0 which, as will be described later, are interposed between and cooperate with vertically adjacent keys 40 in the vertical interlock mechanism.

As seen in FIG. 1 1, a pair of plungers 92 and 93 in the form of pins having rounded ends are positioned in cross bore 85. The pins are dimensioned so that pin 92 extends from the center line of the slide key at the apex of the cam surfaces 72 and 73 to the edge 89 of the column 33 next adjacent column 34. Similarly, plunger 93 extends leftwardly from the center line of slide 40;C0l-

, umn 32 next abuts column 33 at edge 88 having bore a in direct alignment with slot 86 of column 33. Similarlyiat side 89, adjacent column 34 has its interlock bar-b in direct alignment with bore 85 of column 33. The subscripts a, b, etc., here and throughout the specification, designate identical or similar elements.

Interlock bar 90 extends the vertical length of column 33 in slot 86. A number of cross bores 95 are provided in bar"90 and are spaced so that the distance between "bores" 95 is half the distance between adjacent 7 vertical cross bores in the columns. Every other bore houses a compression spring 96 forming a socket 97. A slidable plunger 94 exte nds in bores 95 not housing a spring.

Referring to FIGS. 11. and 12, the vertically shiftable relative to the associatedcolumn to move either a plunger 94 or a spring socket 97 in axial alignment with column cross bores 85. An. actuating handle is connected to the lower end of bar 90 and projects into recess 101 in the column. Manually mov-- ing actuator handle 100 will displace bar 90 to position the bar in accordance with the election requirements.

It will thus be understood, referringto FIG. 11, that as key 40 is depressed in response to a voter operation,

the cam surface 79 will be urged between adjacent plungers 92 and 93 parting them in opposite directions. If it is desired to horizontally interlock adjacent vertical columns, as for example when the machine is set up as shown in ballot columns 18b, 18c and l8dof figures, actuator 100 in column 33 is moved to position interlock bar 90 to align plungers 94 in the bar with bores 85 of the column. The interlock bars in columns32 and34 are similarly positioned. For example, when a key 40 in column 33 is depressed, associated plunger 93' will move leftwardly urging adjacent plunger 94 in bar 90 leftwardlyinto engagement with pin 92a located'in'the adjacent column. Pin 92a in adjacent column 32 will be moved into blocking engagement beneath the apex of associated cam 79a of the key slide in that column.

Column 34 located immediately adjacent side 89 of column 33 has been preset having its interlock bar 90b positioned with spring sockets 97b in axial alignment with cross bores 84 of column 33. Upon depression of a key slide 40 in column 33, pin 92 will simply move into engagement in socket97b causing spring 96b to be depressed. The axial motion of plunger 92 will not be transferred across interlock bar 9012 to prevent the actuation of the key slides in column 34. Therefore, looking at an arrangement of FIG. 1, it will be seen that by selectively positioning interlock bar 90, horizontal listings of candidates may be made and the selection limited to one candidate from the preselected row or group across the columns. The interlock bar between adjacent columns can be positioned to either interlocking or isolate the columns, as the case maybe. An entire or partial horizontal row of key slides 40 may be locked out by virtue of cams 102 as seen in FIG. 13. Cams 102 are rotatively mounted on cam shaft 103 immediately adjacent column 38. Each cam aligns with cross bore 851 in that column. To lock out a horizontal row of keys, associated 102 is rotated into engagement with pin 92i to move the horizontal interlock pins 92 in each column into blocking engagement with the keys 40. A partial horizontal row can be locked out by interrupting the movement of pins 92 by moving interlock bar 90 to align spring sockets 97 with the pins 92. The horizontal lock is particularly useful in accommodating more unusual electionrequirements. theoperation of cam shaft 103 is controlled by the election judge.

The present invention also has provision for selectively interlocking the voter selections in a vertical column and for establishing subcolumns or groups. As seen in FIG. 9, a series of ball housing blocks are received in channel 91 and formpart of a vertical interinterlock bar is individual ballhousing 110 is best seen in FIGS. 14 and 1s.

N Each block 110 consists of a main body portion 111 and 113 are each ofa depth approximately one-half of the width of the keys 40. A slot 115 extends'along one side of the block to receive a corresponding transverse flange in column channel91 to serve as a guide for lateral adjustment of blocks 110. Projecting from the back of block 110 are. legs 118, 119, and 121. A U-shaped opening 122 is defined between upper legs 118 and 120 and a similar opening 123 is defined between legs 119 and 121'. Transverse slots 124 and 125 extend in the opposite sides of the block between the upper and lower legs.

Biasing spring 128 extends from the center of the front face 129 of the block-A bore 130'vertically extends between top side 114 and bottom 116 of the block. Spaced from bore 130 is a socket or blind bore 131. Bore 130 and blind bore 131 are of the same diameter. Socket 131 houses a'biasing spring 134 which -'wardly by virtue ofa spring, not seen, acting within a receiving bore in the block. Keepers 135 and 136 serve to maintain alignment in the row of interlock balls as will be more'fully appreciated.

' Slots 124 and 125 at the end of cam housing block 110 receive cam member 140 which carries cam .142. Eccentric actuator shaft 144 adapts the cam for manual .actuation. As seen in FIG. 11, earn 140 positioned with shaft 144 supported'in slot 124 and 125 so that cam member 142 abuts blockend 147. Shaft 144 extends parallel to the keys 40 in holes 146 in each of the columns. Cam 140 is adjustable by insertion of a tool into hole 146 to-rotate the cam .through shaft,1 44..

Ball, housing blocks 110 are sequentially arranged and oriented in the columns so that face 114 of a block 1 l0 abuts surface 77 of a key slide 40 and opposite surface 78 engages the surface 1160f the next adjacent block 110 with the longitudinal axis of slide 40 transverse to block 110. Spring 128 extending from the ball housing blocks engages side wall 89 of the next column to bias the blocks into channel 105. Thus, it will be observed that block 110 can laterally be displaced by rotation of shaft l44, causing cam 142 to bear against surface 147 moving the block against the force of biasing spring 128. v

In the normalposition, blocks 110 are oriented with hole 67 of key slide 40 in line with bore l30'of the cam blocks 110. Projection 133 on the side 114 of the adjacent ball housing block 110 aligns with slot 70 on the surface 77 of the key slide 40. Thus, in the assembled position, there is a pattern as disclosed in FIGS. 16 to 18 with a continuouscolumnor tool line 150 assembled with identical steel balls 151 extending vertically through the column The outer hole 68 ineach key slide 40 also containsa steel ball 152 identical to balls 151 contained within the tool line 150.

By laterally displacing a ball housing block 110 relative to the associated ke y40, acolumn can be divided into several subcolumnsJAS isthe case in many primary elections, a single candidate to be selected from a number of primary candidates. One voting key slide 40 would be associated with each of the candidates for the particular office. A subcolumn would be indexed by moving the cam block 110 adjacent the keys defining the group in the subcolumn to a blocking position relative to the associated key slide 40. For example, looking at FIGS. 17 and 18, upper and lower blocks 110 and 110 have been moved to separate a subcolumn of candidates for a particular office. To accomplish this, cam shaft 144 was rotated 180 by an appropriate tool causing cam member 142 to bear against surface 147 of the cam block and urge the block against the bias of spring 128 to the position relative to the respective keys shown in FIG. 18. In this blocking position, socket 130 of ball housing block 110 and 1l0c now align with tool line 150. This establishes a three candidate subgroup with a voter being able to select one ofthe three keys 40, 40a and 40b.

to understand what occurs when a key in a sub column is voted, assume that the voter has made a selection on the voting machine causing key slide 40b to be depressed. As the key slide 40b is moved inwardly, ball l5lb in hole 67b of key slide 40b will be forced or cammed upwardly by cam 56b into bore 130a of the next upper adjacent ball housing block 110a. When'the key 40b is fully depressed ball l52b will have been introduced into the tool line 150 causing the tool line to advance upwardly by one ball diameter against the action of spring 134 in socket 131 in the upper terminal ball housing block 110. Spring 134 in the terminal ball housing block will not allow the tool line to advance more than one diameter into the socket 131, so that it is impossible for more than one additional ball to be introduced into the tool line. Ball in bore 68b of the key slide will now occupy a position in the tool line. Should the voter attempt to actuate another key slide, such actuation will be resisted as there is not room in the tool line for any additional balls, hence only one key can be moved in each series or subcolumn.

If it is desired to vote for more than one candidate out of'a series, as for example in an election for city council, the upper end of the columns are used to index a subcolumn. Referring to FIG. 9, a receiver assembly 160 is provided to permit multiple selections to be made. A number of adjacent ball housing blocks corresponding to the number of candidates are positioned having their bores 67 in alignment so that a continuous column of balls extends in the tool line. Receiver passageway 161 aligns with bores67. A guide passageway 162 extends in the column parallel to the receiver passageway. A slider 164 has a tubular stop 165 in passage 161 and tubular guide member 166 in passage 162.

Web 166 interconnects the tubular members. The

candidates be selected from the series, pin 168- is moved upwardly a corresponding number of grouping holes 169 to permit slider 164 to be displaced upwardly to admit three additional balls 151 into tool line 150.

:As'explained above, each time the voterdepresses the voting key, the action of the associated cam surface 56 will cause an additional ball to be moved into the tool line. When three candidates have been voted, acontinuous column of balls will be formed in the tool line extending between-the lower terminal ball housing block and slider 164 of the receiver 160.- No additionalselector keys can be depressed as. they will be opposed by a solid chain of balls. It will be noted that the arrange ment of the present invention has several advantages in that if a voter changes his mind he may simply pull the voting key out of its original position which will effectively remove one ball from the tool line thus permitting another selection to be made. Similarly, since the actuation of any one key in the series does not block the tool line at that position, the selections do not have to bemade in any order. That is, the voter does not or is not required to vote for a number of candidates in ascending or descending order as was necessary with certain prior art types of vertical interlocks.

Clutch drive system 50 of the voting machine controls the registering operation of the machine and clears or depresses predetermined voting keys in accordance with the operational mode. Functionally, the drive system cooperates with the keys in the individual voting columns to perform the following functional operations:

1. Prevents actuation of the main voting button until at least one key in any of the columns has been depressed; I

2. Automatically depresses all the keys under a party heading if the voter selects a straight partyticket;

3. Clears all previously depressed selector keys when a straight party button is actuated;

4. Automatically locks all voting keys and all remaining straight party buttons during a straight party voting cycle;

5. Clears all voting keys on the machine and restores them to an up position at the completion of the voting cycle;

6. Automatically locks out all voting keys in the machine after the'completion of each voting cycle;

7. Provides a key controlled lock to be operated by the election judge to release all buttons to prepare the machine for the next voter; and

8. Permits selected columns or partial columns to be completely locked out by the election judge in accordance with the requirements of the particular ballot.

The mechanism of the main drive system 50 will best be understood by understanding operational sequence of events that occur in the voting cycle. When inactive, before the beginning of an operational voting cycle, the voting machine is in a locked condition which does not permit operation-by a voter until the machine is placed in a ready condition by an appropriate election official or judge outside the voting booth.

All the voting keys are locked in an up position by means of the clear mechanism, a bar which extends the full length of each vertical column and engageseach of the voting keys. The clear bar, as will be explained in more detail hereafter, is actuatedby a clutch mechanism in drive 50. The bar and clutch assemblies are locked at the end of each voting cycle and are held in the'up position by a'common stop which can be released only by an election official using an appropriate key in lock 26 at the side of the machine.

In addition, each individual bar and clutch assembly can be locked by a selective lockout device also actuable by an election judge using an appropriate key. These individual controls can be set to the requirements of the individual election before the election of- 

1. A voting machine having a plurality of aligned columns of voting keys arranged within a frame member, said keys being movable between a non-voted position and a voted position; and tally means movable between a non-registering position and a registering position for actuation by said keys to register a selection only if at least one of said keys is in the voted position, comprising: vote registration means associated with said tally means and movable from a first position to a second position to actuate said tally means for movement to said registering position; blocking means in abutting positioN engaging said vote registration means to block movement of said vote registration means to said second position, said blocking means being selectively movable to a non-abutting position disengaging said vote registration means; a plurality of bars each being linked to one of said keys and movable from a first position to a second position in response to movement of said one key from said non-voted to said voted position; and a rotatable shaft connected between each of said bars and said blocking means and rotatable in response to movement of any of said bars to said second position to move said blocking means to said non-abutting position disengaging said vote registration means.
 2. The voting machine of claim 1 wherein said vote registration means comprises a voting button movable between an elevated position and a depressed position to actuate said tally means.
 3. The voting machine of claim 1 wherein said blocking means comprises an abutment member pivotally mounted on said rotatable shaft to pivot between said abutting and non-abutting positions. 